CITY OF SHENZHEN, CHINA’S ECONOMIC TRADE POWERHOUSE TO THE WORLD, TRADE MISSION WAS IN MIAMI ON OCTOBER 28, 2008

FCCC’s mission is to strengthen business and economic relationships between South Florida and Great China by facilitating networking between professionals in various industries who share a common interest in China, as well as promoting an understanding of Greater China in the United States and international business community. To this end, FCCC organized a highly successful Shenzhen Trade Mission/Breakfast at the Four Seasons Hotel, in downtown Miami, on October 28, 2008. There were over 300 registered attendees, including members of various chambers of commerce based in Miami and Fort Lauderdale.

Shenzhen, formerly a fishing village in China, currently is one of the most prosperous and important economic trade finance centers in the world, and is the fastest growing City in China, with a GDP of $90.81 billion and imports/exports of $287.5 billion in 2007. Approximately 37,000 foreign invested companies, among them 148 of Fortune Global 500 Companies, are doing business in Shenzhen.

FCCC’s president, Anly Liu, opened the conference and introduced the speakers and panelists.

Keynote speaker Mr. Xuewie Wang, Director General of Shenzhen Bureau of Trade and Industry, had traveled from China (20-hour travel one-way to Miami), to discuss bilateral trade and investment opportunities, including key economic developments, with the City of Shenzhen.

Distinguished panelists were: (1) Lita Haeger, President of Association of Bi-National Chambers of Commerce (“ABiCC”), (2) Andrew Pan, Chief Representative of the North American Representative Office of Shenzhen (“NAROS”), based out of Los Angeles, CA, (3) Ken Roberts, President/CEO of World City, based here in Miami, (4) Peter Levenda, renown author of The Mao of Business: Guerilla Trade Techniques for the New China, and expert about China, and (5) John Diep, Director of Asia Development – Enterprise Florida (he travelled from Boca Raton to participate in our early morning session). The panelists provided statistical, practical, and cultural information about China. The questions and answers part of the program following their presentation was lively, informative, and, at times, filled with good humor. All enjoyed themselves. The moderator was Lisa Hu Barquist, Esq., director of FCCC.

Lunch at Tony Chan’s Water Club, attended by speakers and many conference attendees, concluded the City of Shenzhen event.